Blackberry plant named &#39;DRISBLACKNINE&#39;

ABSTRACT

This invention relates to a new and distinct variety of blackberry plant named ‘DrisBlackNine’, particularly characterized by high vigor, long production season and self-fruitful plants, is disclosed.

GENUS AND SPECIES

Rubus L. subgenus Rubus

VARIETY DENOMINATION

‘DrisBlackNine’

BACKGROUND OF THE NEW PLANT

The present invention relates to a new and distinct blackberry cultivardesignated ‘DrisBlackNine’ and botanically known as Rubus L. subgenusRubus. This new blackberry variety was identified in Santa Cruz County,Calif. in September 2006 and originated from a cross between theproprietary female parent blackberry plant ‘BK294 (460G1)’ (unpatented)and the proprietary male parent blackberry plant ‘APF40’ (unpatented).The original seedling of the new cultivar was first asexually propagatedby tissue culture and root cuttings at a nursery in Santa Cruz County,Calif. ‘DrisBlackNine’ was subsequently asexually propagated by tissueculture and root cuttings and underwent further testing at a nursery inSanta Cruz County, Calif. from 2006 to 2011. The present invention hasbeen found to be stable and reproduce true to type through successiveasexual propagations.

Plant Breeder's Rights for this variety have not been applied for.‘DrisBlackNine’ has not been made publicly available or sold anywhere inthe world more than one year prior to the filing date of thisapplication.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The following are the most outstanding and distinguishingcharacteristics of this new cultivar when grown under normalhorticultural practices in Santa Cruz County, Calif.

1. High vigor;

2. Long production season; and

3. Self-fruitful plants.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PHOTOGRAPHS

This new blackberry plant is illustrated by the accompanying photographswhich show the plant's canes, fruit, and leaves. The colors shown are astrue as can be reasonably obtained by conventional photographicprocedures. The photographs are of plants that are 2 years old.

FIG. 1 shows a section of a young cane with spines.

FIG. 2 shows the flowers and the fruit at various stages.

FIG. 3 shows the upper and lower surfaces of the leaves.

DESCRIPTION OF THE NEW VARIETY

The following descriptions of ‘DrisBlackNine’ are based on observationsmade in Santa Cruz County, Calif. on 2-year old plants. This descriptionis in accordance with UPOV terminology. Color designations, colordescriptions, and other phenotypical descriptions may deviate from theestated values and descriptions depending upon variation inenvironmental, seasonal, climatic and cultural conditions.‘DrisBlackNine’ has not been observed under all possible environmentalconditions. Color terminology follows The Royal Horticultural SocietyColour Chart, London (R.H.S.) (2007 edition). Descriptive terminology isfrom the Plant Identification Terminology, An Illustrated Glossary2^(nd) edition, by James G. Harris and Melinda Woolf Harris, unlesswhere otherwise defined.

DETAILED BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION

-   Classification:    -   -   Family.—Rosaceae.        -   Botanical.—Rubus L. subgenus Rubus.        -   Common name.—Blackberry.        -   Variety name.—‘DrisBlackNine’.-   Parentage:    -   -   Female parent.—Proprietary blackberry plant named ‘BK294            (460G1)’ (unpatented).        -   Male parent.—Proprietary blackberry plant named ‘APF40’            (unpatented).-   Plant:    -   -   Vigor.—High.        -   Growth habit.—Upright.        -   Productivity.—Medium.        -   Propagation.—Tissue culture and root cuttings.        -   Self-fruitfulness.—Self-fruitful.        -   Time of bud burst.—Early.-   Canes:    -   -   Fruiting lateral length (4^(th) lateral from tip).—Medium;            44.5 cm.        -   Number of fruit per lateral.—13.9.        -   Fruiting on current year's cane.—Present.        -   Cane internodal distance.—4.9 cm.        -   Number of new canes during flowering.—Medium.        -   New cane strength (observed full-grown shoot after            picking).—Strong.        -   Glaucosity observed on full-grown shoot after picking.—Weak.        -   Young shoots.—Quantity: Medium Time of emergence from soil:            Very late Anthocyanin coloration (during rapid growth): Weak            on leaves, medium on canes; RHS 181A (Dark greyed-red)            Intensity of green color: Medium; RHS 144A (Medium            yellow-green) Number of glandular hairs: Medium.        -   Dormant cane.—Length: Medium Diameter (in central third):            Medium Cross section (from mid cane observed at end of first            growing season): Grooved Color: RHS 144A (Medium            yellow-green) Number of branches: Medium Distribution of            branches: Over whole length Anthocyanin coloration: Weak;            RHS 60A (Dark red purple) Spines: Number of spines: Many            Size: Medium Color: RHS N144C (Medium yellow-green) Density            (on central third of cane): Medium Texture: Medium to heavy            Attitude of apex in relation to cane: Outwards and            downwards.-   Leaves:    -   -   Type.—Intermediate.        -   Predominant number of leaflets.—Five.        -   Overlapping or relative position of lateral            leaflets.—Overlapping.        -   Color.—Upper surface: Medium; RHS N137A (Medium green) Lower            surface: Medium; RHS 146B (Medium yellow-green).        -   Glossiness of upper side.—Weak.        -   Cross section profile.—Flat (level with the leaflet blade).        -   Leaflets.—Shape: Oval Margin: Crenate Depth of incisions:            Medium Type of incision margin: Bi-serrate Apex: Complex            Base: Obtuse Rachis length between terminal leaflet and            adjacent lateral leaflet: 33.9 mm.        -   Lateral leaflet (basal pair).—Length: 83.8 mm Width: 59.7 mm            Length/width ratio: 1.4.        -   Terminal leaflet.—Length: Long; 99.5 mm Width: Medium; 72.7            mm Length/width ratio: 1.4 Lobing: Absent Undulation of            margin (rippling of margin): Medium Blistering between veins            (rugosity): Medium Shape: Oval Tip: Truncate Base: Obtuse            Margin: Doubly serrate Cross-section: U-shaped.        -   Petiole.—Length: 9.0 mm Diameter: 1.4 mm Pigmentation: Upper            surface: Medium; RHS 144A (Medium yellow-green) Lower            surface: Medium; RHS 144B (Medium yellow-green).        -   Stipule.—Size: Large Orientation: Erect.-   Inflorescence:    -   -   Time of beginning of flowering on previous year's            cane.—Early.        -   Time of beginning of flowering on current year's cane.—Late.        -   Flower diameter.—Large; 46.67 mm.        -   Flower number (at 3^(rd) node from tip of lateral).—2.        -   Petal.—Length: 24.48 mm Width: 18.94 mm Length/width ratio:            1.3 Color: RHS 155B (White).        -   Pedicel: Length: 39.55 mm Diameter: 1.70 mm.-   Fruit:    -   -   Time of ripening on previous year's cane.—Early.        -   Time of ripening on current year's cane.—Very late.        -   Harvest interval.—Mid-September to mid-November.        -   Color.—Immature: RHS 144A (Medium yellow-green) Maturing:            RHS 60A (Dark red-purple) Mature: RHS N186A (Dark            greyed-purple).        -   Glossiness.—Medium.        -   Shape in longitudinal section.—Oblong.        -   Size.—Medium.        -   Length.—Medium; 30.08 mm.        -   Width.—Broad; 23.79 mm.        -   Ratio of length to width.—1.3.        -   Weight (g/fruit).—4.3567 g.        -   Soluble solids (%) (in Brix).—11.5.        -   Titratable acidity.—(% as citric acid): 1.16.        -   Seed weight (g/seed).—0.0031.        -   Number of druplets/fruit.—Many; 139.        -   Size of druplet.—Small to medium.        -   Firmness.—Medium.        -   Yield.—Low to medium.-   Disease, pest, and stress resistance:    -   -   Acalitus essigi.—Susceptible.        -   Botrytris fruit rot.—Susceptible.

COMPARISON WITH PARENTAL AND COMMERCIAL VARIETIES

‘DrisBlackNine’ differs from the proprietary female parent ‘BK294(460G1)’ (unpatented) in that ‘DrisBlackNine’ has better flavour andfirmer, larger fruit than ‘BK294 (460G1)’. Additionally, ‘DrisBlackNine’is much less susceptible to red berry mite than ‘BK294 (460G1)’.

‘DrisBlackNine’ differs from the proprietary male parent ‘APF40’(unpatented) in that ‘DrisBlackNine’ has slightly smaller fruit andfirmer fruit than ‘APF40’.

‘DrisBlackNine’ differs from the commercial variety ‘Driscoll Carmel’(U.S. Plant Pat. No. 15,058) in that ‘DrisBlackNine’ has an uprightgrowth habit and high vigor, whereas ‘Driscoll Carmel’ has a semi-erectgrowth habit and moderate vigor. Additionally, ‘DrisBlackNine’ hasmedium glossy, oblong shaped fruit, whereas ‘Driscoll Carmel’ hasstrongly glossy, ovate shaped fruit.

‘DrisBlackNine’ differs from commercial variety ‘Driscoll Eureka’ (U.S.Plant Pat. No. 14,765) in that ‘DrisBlackNine’ has an upright growthhabit and high vigor, whereas ‘Driscoll Eureka’ has a semi-erect growthhabit and moderate to high vigor. Additionally, ‘DrisBlackNine’ hasmedium glossy, oblong shaped fruit, whereas ‘Driscoll Eureka’ hasstrongly glossy, ovate shaped fruit.

We claim:
 1. A new and distinct variety of blackberry plant named‘DrisBlackNine’ as described and shown herein.